Ohio State pulls away from Indiana

J.K. Dobbins broke Ohio State’s freshman record by rushing for 181 yards in his college debut, J.T. Barrett threw three touchdown passes and the second-ranked Buckeyes pulled away to beat Indiana 49-21 on Thursday night.

The Buckeyes have won 23 straight over the Hoosiers.

Indiana had big plans for what was billed as the biggest opener in school history – a prime time, nationally televised game that included the first trip by ESPN’s “College GameDay” to Bloomington.

Instead, Dobbins stole the show.

With Mike Weber, Ohio State’s top runner in 2016, out with a hamstring injury, Dobbins stepped in and surpassed Maurice Clarett’s previous debut record of 175 yards set in 2002 against Texas Tech.

Barrett overcame a slow start to finish 20 of 35 for 304 yards. He added 61 yards rushing and another score to move within two touchdowns of matching Drew Brees’ Big Ten career record for total touchdowns of 106.

But the Buckeyes weren’t themselves early.

They didn’t reach the end zone until Antonio Williams’ 1-yard plunge with 5:17 left in the first half. They finally retook the lead on Barrett’s 2-yard scoring run midway through the third quarter and pulled away after Parris Campbell hauled in a 74-yard TD pass to make it 27-21 with 4:38 left in the third.

Ohio State scored the last 28 points.

Indiana, controlled most of the first half of Tom Allen’s home debut as coach.

Hoosiers quarterback Richard Lagow finished 40 of 65 with 410 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions.